Herpetological Highlights
Episodes
145 Vipers On Ice
24 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Despite a warming planet, new research suggests that snakes in the UK may have more frosty mornings ahead. Then Sourish Kuttalam from Bangor Universit...
144 New Zealand’s Native Frogs
17 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We uncover some small and unusual frogs native to the islands of New Zealand. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Full reference ...
143 Can frogs stand the heat?
10 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The climate crisis presents numerous questions about how animals will cope. We look at one frog-focused example where the researchers actually heated ...
142 Alligators can regrow their tails
03 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tail regrowth is a weird and wonderful trait some herpetofauna possess. But there’s a new paper about the regrowing tails of alligators. Species of ...
141 Mountain Dragons
26 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Mountain dragons are found in Australia and Tasmania. We get stuck in to the ecology of these busy little lizards. Become a Patreon: https://www.patre...
140 Snake Diets Through the Ages
26 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
After the dinosaurs went extinct snakes were feeling hungry. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Full reference list available ...
139 Can brownsnakes be bothered?
07 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Elapid behaviour is not as well studied as we’d like, so in this episode we look at a couple of papers to cover more ground. One describing the chan...
138 Evolving Anoles
06 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The complexities of evolution pose constant questions. One of the most fruitful groups to look at when trying to understand evolution is Anolis lizard...
137 Switzerland’s Frog-enaissance
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Back in the 90s the Swiss authorities decided to start digging loads of ponds for their dwindling amphibians. But did these uniquely slippery customer...
136 Set a course for Tiny Boa Island
15 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Central American boas are the focus of this episode - we disentangle why some are large, and others are very small. Followed up by a Species of the B...
135 I should have stayed an egg
08 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A look at the world's shortest-lived tetrapod, a tiny chameleon, Labord's chameleon. What is their life like? And where do they go in the short months...
134 For Rattlesnakes, Wetter is Better
08 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Reptiles can be tough, especially when faced with a lack of water. But does providing them with extra water help them out? We also have a bent-toed Sp...
133 Tale of the Caledonian Castaways
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The islands of New Caledonia are famous for their geckos. Recent research has revealed the evolutionary past of these sticky lizards, and it all began...
132 Radioactive Colour Changing Frogs
18 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Radioactive frogs around Chernobyl haven't been the same since the nuclear disaster. We talk about why they aren't so green, before focusing on a newl...
131 Invasion of the Lung Crustaceans
11 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve chatted about invasive species in many episodes, but this time the invader is INSIDE the better known invader. A parasite has made its way to ...
130 Versatile Blue Tongue
08 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Blue tongue skinks are named for their distinctive blue tongue. We’ve talked previously about how they spook predators with a flash of blue, but thi...
129 Fast Food is Bad for Turtles Too
27 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A tortoise and turtle double-bill. Gopher tortoises face burrow cave-ins, and sea turtles eat human food. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/he...
128 Swampy Siren Songs
20 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sirens resemble a salamander crossed with an eel. We work out how these bizarre amphibians hunt, and talk about a siren species only recently discover...
127 Frog Calls in a Concrete Jungle
13 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Animals have to adapt to all sorts of changes, but urbanisation is perhaps one of the most drastic. Urban noise can majorly interfere with communicati...
126 The Salamanders That Parachute
06 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it’s a Plethodontid Salamander, more specifically Aneides vagrans AKA the wandering salamander. As strange as it sou...
125 Last of the Giant Lizards
30 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Many large animals have gone extinct in the last 50,000 years - but not Komodo dragons. We explore a paper detailing why they have survived while othe...
124 Garter Snake Gangs
30 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Snakes are often thought of as totally solitary, but this isn't always the case. We talk about a new study detailing snake social behaviour, and follo...
123 Fantastic Mr Foxsnake
16 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Foxsnakes are widely distributed and with an apparently tumultuous taxonomic history, but we can still take a look at the habitats they prefer and the...
122 Volcano Lizards
09 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Lizards can live in some tough environments, but does any lizard top the chubby Phymaturus living on the side of an active volcano? This episode we ex...
121 The Cheeky Startler
02 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Toad headed agamas have a bonkers display - bright pink flaps which pop out of the sides of their head. It has long been assumed this serves as a warn...
120 Vipers With Eyebrows
31 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Some vipers have crazy horns - we chat about it, and discuss a brand new species of lizard from South America. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.c...
119 Crocodile Comeback
19 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Despite existing on the planet for millions of years with minor morphological changes, crocodiles are having a difficult time in a new human dominated...
118 The Frogs That Cannot Hop
12 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Animals come in many sizes, great and small. But all are subject to the laws of physics. In this episode we look at how the tiniest of frogs are too s...
117 Predation Liberation - Shine on Chameleons
05 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Jackson's chameleons are famous for their bright colours and fancy horns. But can a lack of predators make them even jazzier? Become a Patreon: https:...
116 The Unfamiliar Scent of Death
29 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Can the smell of predators put lizards off their lunch? Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Full reference list available here:...
115 Tag! You’re Envenomated
24 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Venoms are complex, and researchers are constantly discovering new intriguing uses. But this episode we look at a fascinating new venom use for the sn...
114 Not All Retics Are The Same
21 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A phylogenetic paper focused episode looking at the longest snake of them all: Reticulated pythons. Are all reticulated pythons part of one big happy ...
113 Bearded Dragons Dodgy Dinners
09 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Bearded dragons love to eat bugs, but pesticide use means they aren't always as good as they look. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighl...
112 Intoxicated Crocs
01 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Freshwater crocs are classic predators of the water's edge - but when prey changes, can they keep up? Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphi...
111 Steps Towards Turtle Rehabilitation
24 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes turtles can get caught up in nets and other sticky situations. Rehabilitation can help out these injured or exhausted turtles… but how do ...
110 Snakes - Ant-mothers or Ant-Eaters
19 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve talked about ants being the victims of herpetofauna depredation, but what about snakes that are friends to ants? This episode we chat about a ...
109 Accelerating Python Research
10 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We find out what Burmese pythons get up to when no one is watching. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Full reference list ava...
108 In The Hall of The Mountain Kingsnake
03 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Are mountain kingsnakes multiple species? We try to decide. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Full reference list available at:...
107 ROBO-TOADS
26 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What’s the best way to explore toad mate choice… create hyper-realistic robo-toads of differing colours. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com...
106 New Python Alert
19 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We take a look at a frog that bucks the classic frog diet, and explore the confusing world of small Australian pythons. A new python here, a lost pyth...
105 Creative crab eating snakes
12 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Snakes eat crabs, and they eat them in some pretty unusual ways. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Full reference list availa...
104 Unrequited sea snake love
07 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode focuses on some confused sea snakes and their amorous intentions, with a wild Species of the Bi-Week. Become a Patreon: https://www.patr...
103 Endangered Giants
30 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What can we learn about Endangered Giant herpetofauna from observing their movements? We take a look at some monster tortoises and gargantuan salamand...
102 War of the Worms
22 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Slow worm combat and snake fungal disease are the topics of this episode - turns out slow worms are savages. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.c...
101 Monitor Lizards
08 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
One of our favourite groups of lizards is the topic of this episode. They are truly incredible beasts capable of learning, adapting, and apparently cr...
100 Episode 100
21 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's episode 100! We talk a bit about the effects of pesticides on frogs before having some fun testing our knowledge of herpetofauna. Become a Patre...
099 I hope it is a dry bite
03 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Snakes can bite; and when venomous, these bites can cause serious harm. But how frequently do snakes actually deploy that venom? We look at a review b...
098 Kingsnake Squeeze
22 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Renowned for their habit of eating other snakes, just how do colourful kingsnakes manage to tackle prey almost their own size? We delve into this myst...
097 Picky Pink Panthers
01 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chameleons! Specifically Panther Chameleons. We look at the decisions made by female chameleons, what are they looking for in a male chameleon, are th...
096 Livid Lizards
27 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This time we chat about the mighty Australian dragons of genus Ctenophorus. These little dragons have some serious personality, but how does it affect...
095 Imps of Darkness
22 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Spraying salt while chilling next to the shoreline –the M.O. of marine iguanas. But how do they cope with the harsh reality of life in 2021, like dr...
094 Hognose Hodgepodge
30 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Hognose snakes - famous for their funny expressions and death-feigning, but why do Eastern hognoses come in different colours, and are some population...
093 Tortoise Talk
04 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How social are tortoises? This episode we look at a paper investigating tortoises’ preference for faces, and a second on whether they stick together...
092 Home is Where the Python's at
25 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we are talking about the life and times of one of the world’s largest snakes - the Burmese python. We compare their movements in the...
091 Vyper Vyper Biting Bright
15 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the forests of the night, What immortal pit or eye, Could frame thy venomous symmetry? This episode we look at the biting behaviour, and glowing ta...
090 Little Snakes in the Big City
26 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Urban snakes - are they more hip than their rural cousins, or do they suffer worse from parasites? We delve into some unexpected outcomes of urban lif...
089 Flummoxed by Fluorescence
25 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Fluorescing frogs (toadlets) and glowing geckos are topics of discussion this episode. We dig into the whys and ecological context of glowing, but rea...
088 Bungarus Bonanza
14 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kraits! These banded and venomous beasts are still shrouded in mystery, but we cover some of the things we DO know about them in this Patreon special....
087 Invasion Evasion
04 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Frogs: invasive menace, and victim. We look at two papers showing how frogs are faring in the face of human-caused species invasions. One where the fr...
086 Illusionary Tortoises
06 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this instalment we are talking tortoises - how clever are they, and how well do they get on with ravens? We follow up the tortoise double header wi...
085 Technicolour Dream Lizards
18 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Lizards live in a world of colour. But how do they react to different colours, and what role does colour play in creating new species of lizard? We di...
084 Beady Brains on the Move
02 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode we delve into the problem solving capabilities of some large lizards, and uncover the lifestyle of Guatemalan beaded lizards. We also dis...
083 Humans and Venom
16 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Humans and snakes share a long and storied past. In this episode we examine one paper that looks at the prehistoric relationship between humans and co...
082 Hey skink, why so blue?
02 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Who doesn't love blue tongue skinks? In this episode we discuss their ability to learn complex tasks, and finally discover why that tongue is so blue....
081 Is that even a frog?
20 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Frogs come in all shapes and sizes, but some frogs are particularly odd. Rain frogs with their globus bodies are the topic for this episode. Why are t...
080 Genetics to the Rescue
15 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Hello 2021! We are back and this time discussing genetic rescue - can isolated, dwindling populations be assisted by adding individuals from elsewhere...
079 Close Encounters of the Bird Kind
08 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s episode is a bit jumbled as we focus on whether birds are using alligators to help protect nests. For the Species of the Bi-week we have...
078 Colour in the Desert
18 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Greater earless lizards use their tail for all manner of things - but how has this shaped its evolution? We delve into this mystery and find out how h...
077 Battle Frogs
03 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A rainy night in a tropical forest; the sound of frog battle calls ring out –but who will be victorious? This episode we dive into the details of fr...
076 Green Pit Viper Special
29 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
They don't come greener than this - but what are they up to? We discuss the behaviour of some (mostly green) pit vipers, and we even have a brand new ...
075 Trading Blows and Trading Reptiles
29 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In a mixed episode, we explore some gruesome ways to eat a toad practiced by kukri snakes, how the reptile trade looks to be a lot larger than what in...
074 Actual Cannibal Salamanders
30 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This bi-week we are talking about some underwater cannibals, with a very stylish new species of salamander thrown in too. We also answer a patreon que...
073 Lizards of the Night
28 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Lizards of the night - Night lizards - Xantusiidae. We take a close look at the genetics of the island night lizards, and explore some new options for...
072 Sidewinders Sighting Sites
22 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sidewinders, how do they go about life? From their hunting techniques, to how they view the landscape around them, this episode delves into the lives ...
071 Don’t count your Sand Boas before they hatch
30 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Like many a fossorial snake, Sand Boas hold many surprises; this episode we explore some of those. First, an investigation into Dollo’s “Law”, t...
070 Amphisbaenian Appetites
19 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this Patreon special episode we delve into the underground lives of the ultimate oddities - worm lizards. Find out how they go about tackling their...
069 Freezing Frogs
22 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We’re back and exploring the toughest of frogs; those frogs braving the harsh northern conditions that literally freezes them to the bone. How do th...
068 Hoplocephalus with Scott Eipper
08 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We had the good fortune to be joined by herpetologist and author Scott Eipper for this special episode on Hoplocephalus. We also talk about Scott and ...
067 Flipping Frogs
14 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A selection of papers are discussed in this episode. Starting with a big finding from Central America on the fate of snakes post-frog loss, and ending...
066 Chelonian Sniffing Canines
01 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Reptiles and amphibians are hard to find, so how can you be sure you haven’t missed any? We explore some reptile detectives, some of which are good ...
065 Viper X Toad
24 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode we take a look at the Gaboon Viper… or is that a toad? Looking at a couple of papers, we check out the characteristics of Gaboon Viper ...
064 The Art of Turtle War
04 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Painted turtles - cute, and brightly coloured, but are they harbouring a dark secret? We first discuss identifying their gender, followed by talk of s...
063 Croc-o-motion
20 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Crocodiles! What are they doing, running about, biting bones… We take a look at a couple of papers: one examining just how they run, the other exami...
062 Step softshell, for you tread upon my turtles
21 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
They’re strange, they’re soft, they’re turtles - but where do they go? This episode is all about the comings and goings of softshell turtles liv...
061 Vertical Herps
17 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Amphibians can make use of all sorts of places: from underground grottos to the tips of trees –but are there any patterns in where amphibians take t...
060 High-calibre Hydromantes
11 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 60 is a Patreon episode about salamanders from the genus Hydromantes. These little characters have some interesting adaptations, and evolve n...
059 Rediscovered Species Special
19 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In a slightly shambolic episode we mix up the format, this Bi-week we take a look at some lost species and their recent rediscoveries. FULL REFERENCE ...
058 Night of the Gecko
05 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Geckos! In Hawai'i? We know what you're thinking - not by natural biogeographic processes! And you're right, they are there because they are invasi...
057 Pit Viper Proportions
25 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Patreon episode - what’s up with Central American vipers? More specifically how is there size and shape impacted by location and interspecific inter...
056 The Ecology of Snakebite
10 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Snakebite is a worldwide phenomenon which has dramatic consequences for human health. But how does the ecology of snakes influence its incidence and s...
055 I Can’t Believe It’s Not Water Snakes
26 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
After an unscheduled delay we are back. What better way to return than a look into the lives and diets of water snakes - mysterious creatures of the w...
054 Venom Variation
30 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Venom can be deadly, but not all venoms are created equal. They serve different purposes and have evolved for different reasons. In this episode we di...
053 In Defense of Eggs
16 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A slightly hap-hazard episode looking at some brave lizards facing down an ever present snake menace. Lizards have to stop nest raiding some-how and a...
052 Salamanders Vs Plants
02 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Salamanders are famous for being slippery and liking water, but we uncover some new and surprising elements in their ecology. Stay tuned for a Species...
051 Python Surprise
18 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Pythons are marvellous beasts: their lives and ways remain mysterious. We check out a paper that lifts the curtain on a secretive Australian snake –...
050 Toady, Toady, Tody
23 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this milestone episode we are talking about toads - how common Asian species are coping with changes in land use and how the same changes in Europe...
049 Great Lizard Escapes
07 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It is a dangerous world for small lizards. To survive a lizard may need to pull off some pretty ingenious escape maneuvers. In this episode we look at...
048 The Frog After Tomorrow
29 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this Patreon episode we delve into the world of amphibians - how will frogs, toads, salamanders and friends cope with human-induced climate alterat...
047 Iguanas Rock
09 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Iguanas rock, and rock iguana’s doubly so. We check out the status of the Bahamas dwindling populations of Cay-dwelling rock iguana with stories of ...
046 Stinky Turtles
19 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 46 is a Patreon episode about...musk turtles! These endearing little monsters live in the waterways of the USA and we examine their unusual mo...